Mike Sorensen

Pat Healy (left) connects with a left hand against Jake Ellenberger. Photo courtesy of the International Fight League.

Longtime veteran Pat Healy’s experience came in handy tonight as he overcame an extremely rough start against rising prospect Ryan Ford to surprisingly submit Ford with a third-round armbar in the main event of Maximum Fighting Championship’s latest showing at the River Cree Resort and Casino in Edmonton.

The first round saw Ford fight for a successful takedown during the beginning moments. Pinning Healy in the corner, Ford worked some ground-and-pound before Healy was able to force a scramble. Healy nearly caught Ford with an armbar but Ford was able to slip out and stand up before slamming Healy down once again just before the round’s end.

In a reversal of roles, it was Healy that forcefully slammed Ford to the mat at the start of the second stanza, only to have Ford quickly reverse position. With Ford continuing to punish Healy, it looked as if the fight was nearing the end. However midway through the third, another slam left Ford vulnerable for an armbar. Healy quickly capitalized, locking in the hold and forcing Ford to tap out, ruining Ford and MFC President Mark Pavelich’s plans to award the hometown favorite the promotion’s vacant welterweight title in the process.

The night’s co-main event saw Donald Sanchez submit veteran Jason Maxwell with a second-round triangle. UFC veteran Ron Faircloth was also victorious, submitting Levi Avera with a rear naked choke in the second round of their bout. Complete results of the event are after the jump courtesy of Rogers Sportsnet.